Morning of the 22nd of July. Main Event. I wake up about 7:30am, Ryatt is still stretched out next to me sleeping soundly. I wiped my eyes of sleet and then watch him as he smiles in his sleep. I dont usually watch him sleep because usually hes the one waking me up in the mornings. But today, his first birthday, the little cowboy decided to sleep in and I let him. He stretched a big stretch and then cracked one eye open. Then the other. When his vision came into focus, he looked at me and smiled a big toothy grin. Ryatt was ready to start the big day! So Ill be honest; when I pictured how the first day (his birthday of all days) I imagined a super cranky- inconsolable- time warped- baby. But he wasnt any of those things. He was such a trooper adjusting to the change and the new faces. Anyway, we had big things happening and all I could think about is how amazing it was that we survived the first year. [Lets recap: only 12 months ago we were waking up every 2 hours to nurse a crying 7lb baby, sleeping less than 4 hours a night, changing 12+ diapers a day, cleaning spit up every hour, trying every trick to stop the crying, juggling house chores that seem to be worst when theres a newborn. All while dealing with my own healing and hormonal imbalances AND not kill each other. Geez. We are considering more kids?! ] Well, the hour came. We head over to Granny Bertha's house where we have set up the party. Good ol' shrimp boil going on, tables out, family chit chatting and here was the birthday boy. Ryatt's First Rodeo was the theme, so as soon as we got there we handed out cowboy hats, bandanas and star badges to all the kids and some adults. Now all that was missing was my family who were all (13 folks) on their way in from New Orleans.
I havent seen my family in two years; its been that long since I left Virgina to move to Hawaii with my sailor hubby. My mom came out to Hawaii for Ryatts birth, but that was it. Goodness, I missed them so much. I didnt realize how much until I saw them. I was rushed with emotion when the first car arrived. My mom, Tia Zuby, sister, brother, his girlfriend, and Jason, climb out the car. I hugged them so hard, so hard they probably felt my pounding heart. The water works start up and we slowly make our way over to the rest of the party. One by one we introduced everyone and immediately the attention went back onto the birthday boy. He was the reason everyone was there. Everyone wanted to see him and meet each other. Then the second car arrived and again my heart pounded hard. My Tia Maria, cousins and their partners climb out the car. I longed to see them again, but this time there was one person I especially wanted to meet. It was my godson, Aiden, who was supposed to be born a few days before I left Virgina and instead made his debut the day after I landed in Hawaii. I never got to meet my baby godson and now I finally got to hug him. We bring them over to the party and festivities continue. The family was all together, getting to know alil about each other and chowing down on shrimp/corn/sausage/potatoes. Looking back it at the party, everyone was so happy just like I had imagined. It was perfect. But that wasnt it! The cake came out and moment I dreamed about was about to happen. My baby boy was about to be officially initiated as a one year old toddler! I baked him an over-sized cupcake especially made for him to tear into. Needless to say, there was no delay in the demolition of the cupcake. Ryatt tore through that thing like a hungry bear; and a generous bear he was, sharing fists full of cake with Mommy and Daddy. After the damage was done, we removed the cake, cleaned up the boy and proceeded with the party. What an exhausting day that was but it was soooooo fun! The next day was another fun day of family and celebration.
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